Tom Davis

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I have spent much of the past week examining the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, one of the most tragic natural disasters in our Nation's history. My heart goes out to each and every person who has suffered in the wake of this situation. I grieve for the loss of life, and I sympathize with those who have lost their livelihood as a result of this terrible tragedy. First and foremost, it is important to give credit to countless brave men and women, both volunteer and professional, who have been working tirelessly on our recovery and rescue operations. Their heroic efforts have saved countless lives, and we need to ensure they have the support and tools they need to accomplish their jobs. In addition, it is important to recognize National Guard Units and other emergency management professionals who have been attempting to restore order under exceptionally trying circumstances. Hurricane Katrina has proven to be one of the most damaging storms ever experienced by the people of the Gulf Coast. It will take a long time for this area of the country to regain some semblance of normalcy--a process that will depend on the collective acts of kindness, generosity, and selflessness of all Americans as much as it does the acts of government. I salute those who have already volunteered their services, donated money or goods, or opened their homes to their displaced countrymen. In the weeks and months to come, much of our attention in Washington will be focused on the response to Katrina. There will be much to say and plenty of time to say it. But for now I want to pause to remember the victims of this storm and to grieve for their passing. For the survivors, I offer my condolences and, through the work we will pursue together, as one Nation, the prospect of hope.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3045, the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act. I'm an unapologetic avid free-trader. I believe we are in the midst of a globalization revolution. I believe the United States has an enormous role to play in that revolution. We are the nation that benefits most from global economic integration, so it is our job to make sure globalization is sustainable. That it creates more winners than losers, in as many places as possible, on as many days as possible. But Mr. Speaker, we need to understand that CAFTA is more than just a trade pact. It's a signal of U.S. commitment to democracy and prosperity for our neighbors. And it's the best immigration, anti-gang, and anti-drug policy at our disposal. I recently returned from leading a congressional delegation to El Salvador, Venezuela, and Colombia. The trip left me more convinced than ever that a large part of the answer to so many questions confronting the D.C. region and the entire United States is, quite simply, free trade. Want to fight the ever-more-violent MS-13 gang activity originating in El Salvador but prospering in Northern Virginia? Pass CAFTA. Want to begin to ebb the growing flow of illegal immigrants from Central America? Pass CAFTA. Want to curb the still-steady stream of illegal drugs to American streets? Pass CAFTA. Want to help make sure Al-Qaeda and other foreign terrorist groups don't easily utilize the southern border to enter the United States and do us harm? Pass CAFTA. The reality is, CAFTA has profound implications for not only U.S. economic interests, but geo-political and homeland security concerns as well. My fear is that we are now so focused on promoting freedom and democracy in Iraq that we risk missing a critical and timely opportunity to further those causes in our own backyard--all because of some misguided but politically compelling opposition rhetoric. Take the so-called ``labor concerns,'' for example. I discussed this with Salvadoran President Tony Saca, and he chuckled at the illogical nature of the criticism. ``We have a profound respect for unions,'' he said. ``But if we don't have more jobs, we won't have more unions. Because I haven't seen any jobless unions.'' Saca knows what opponents won't admit: the economic benefits arising from CAFTA would significantly increase wealth in El Salvador--wealth that will allow Saca to enforce existing, and even implement new, labor environmental safeguards. Each of the CAFTA nations is unique, but they share traits, including an urgent need for investment and jobs. Do we really think there is no connection between a lack of economic opportunity in Central America and illegal immigration to the U.S.? Or no connection between rising gang activity and poverty, underemployment, and broken homes? Our own neighborhoods are not insulated from the lack of economic opportunity abroad. Our best immigration policy is one that strengthens economies south of our border. For U.S. economic interests, the gains are equally clear: U.S. exports to the six nations total about $15 billion a year; that would increase by $4 billion in the pact's first year, resulting in a net gain of about 25,000 U.S. jobs. And, having seen firsthand the growing hostility toward America in Venezuela under Hugo Chavez, I can only conclude that American national security interests are also at stake with CAFTA. While the collective attention of our Nation has been primarily focused on Iraq, a string of troubling events has been unraveling in South America. Economic collapse in Argentina. Growing instability and leftist populism in Bolivia and Ecuador. Chavez consolidating power in oil-rich Venezuela, and extending his anti-US influence into the Caribbean and across the Andes. Brazil signing huge economic deals with China. Meanwhile, the six CAFTA countries comprise some of our most reliable, steadfast allies anywhere. El Salvador, to this day, maintains hundreds of troops in Iraq in support of the U.S.-led mission. Some say CAFTA is a move to ship U.S. jobs to Central America; in actuality, it offers a path toward importing apparel and other goods from Central American allies instead of China. The CAFTA countries are dominated not by Chavez-like dictatorships with a ``democratic'' face, but by 21st century leaders who realize that when people are given a larger economic role in their community, they in turn demand a greater role in how that community is governed. But this rising democratic tide could be easily turned back unless Central Americans see--and see soon--that democracy delivers more than promises. The best way to make promises a reality for all is to open our doors to trade. It may also be the best way to fight some of our biggest societal problems here at home.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, Chairman Barton, thank you for the way you managed this difficult process. Being an outside conferee on a bill this size can often be an exercise in futility. But throughout this Conference, you and your staff remained responsive and helpful. Also, I also want to commend all the conferees for working hard to listen to each other and compromise when appropriate. There are two sections of this bill which I am particularly excited about from an acquisition policy point of view. First is the section authorizing the continued use of Energy Savings Performance Contracts-- these contracts have, over recent years, provided agencies with an effective tool to rapidly improve the energy efficiency of their buildings without increasing costs to the taxpayer. Some have suggested limitations to this program, but such limitations will translate into reductions in the energy efficiency of government facilities. In my opinion, that is heading in the wrong direction and I'm happy to see such limitations were not included in the final bill. Second, this legislation authorizes the use of Other Transactions for the Department of Energy's critical research and development efforts. These arrangements support research and development without using standard procurement contracts, grants or cooperative agreements. Other Transactions authority has been used successfully in the Department of Defense for years to great effect. I appreciate the Science Committee's willingness to work with me and the Senate to craft language that allows the use of this valuable tool where appropriate. It is a shame when the government is denied a technological advance simply because our standard acquisition policies are not suitable for the development of cutting edge solutions. Finally, I want to note that the conference has decided to include a request for a report on China and the CNOOC offer to acquire Unocal. This report will be conducted simultaneously with the regular review conducted by the Committee on Foreign Investments in the United States. The report will essentially develop the same information required by the CFIUS review. In other words, the Conference has decided to duplicate the review process. The conference's time would be better spent studying our Nation and how we plan to secure our energy over the next 50 years instead of worrying about the actions of our most valuable trading partners. With this one exception, the Energy Policy Act is a step in the direction of answering those questions.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, last Saturday July 23, 2005, was a dreadful day for the entire civilized world. The multiple bombings in the Egyptian city of Sharm el-Sheikh that killed dozens constituted the deadliest act of terrorism in Egypt's history. I want to assure the victims of the attack, their families, and all Egyptian people that the House of Representatives and the American people stand with them during this time of loss. As we know all too well, terrorists remain committed to senseless killing of innocent people. Their evil must be defeated. That a suicide attacker would ram a pick-up truck packed with 660 pounds of explosives into a hotel is just the most recent demonstration of the viciousness of these killers. Last weekend's attack is not an isolated incident. A suicide bomber exploded a bomb in a Cairo market on April 7 this year, killing three, including one American. On April 30, two women fired several gunshots into a tour bus in Cairo wounding seven people. And on July 7, Egypt's Ambassador to Iraq, Dr. Ihab al-Sharif, was kidnapped and killed by a group associated with al Qaeda. The July 23 attack is a heartbreaking reminder of the human toll in the war on terror, but it will only serve to steel the resolve of America, Egypt, and our allies. The U.S. Government will continue its cooperation with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to track down the terrorists involved in these attacks. America and our allies do not distinguish between terrorist acts aimed at interrupting the Israeli- Palestinian appeals process, those attacking the operations of the new Iraqi government, or those that result in the murder of innocent sightseers in Sharm el-Sheikh. Mr. Speaker, as this legislation resolves all to do, I am proud to join President Bush in expressing the solidarity of the American people with the Egyptian people in the aftermath of the July 23 attacks. I strongly support House Resolution 384.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate an exceptional officer in the United States Army, Lieutenant General Richard A. Hack, upon his retirement after 33 years of distinguished service. Throughout his career, Lieutenant General Hack has personified the values of duty, integrity, and selfless service across the many missions the Army has provided in defense of our Nation. As the Chief of Staff and Deputy Commanding General of the United States Army Materiel Command, Lieutenant General Hack has made lasting contributions to the Army Materiel Command; an organization that employs more than 50,000 in 149 locations worldwide to include 43 states and 38 countries. It is my sincere privilege to recognize his many accomplishments. I commend his superb service to the United States Army and this great Nation. Lieutenant General Hack is a second-generation Army officer, the son of Colonel (Ret) and Mrs. Sidney Hack of Columbia, SC. He graduated from the Virginia Military Institute and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Ordnance Corps. Upon completion of the Ordnance Officer Basic Course, he was assigned to Fort Knox, KY, where he served as Platoon Leader and later Shop Officer for the 530th and 514th Maintenance Companies. He was then assigned to Schweinfurt, Germany, as Shop Officer of the 596th and 903rd Maintenance Company and served as Commander, 42nd Maintenance Company in Furth, Germany. Following the Ordnance Officer Advanced Course, Lieutenant General Hack participated in the Training with Industry program at Sikorsky Aircraft Company in Stratford, CT, and was subsequently assigned to Rock Island Arsenal, IL, as a Materiel Management Staff Officer and later as Aide-de-Camp to the Commanding General, U.S. Army Armament Materiel Command. After graduation from Command and General Staff College, Lieutenant General Hack was assigned to the 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized), Fort Stewart, GA, where he served as Materiel Officer and Support Operations Officer for the 724th Main Support Battalion, Executive Officer of the 24th Forward Support Battalion, and Chief, Division Materiel Management Center. Following his Fort Stewart assignments, Lieutenant General Hack served as the U.S. Army Europe Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics staff in Heidelberg, Germany, and then commanded the 705th Main Support Battalion, 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized) at Fort Polk, LA. After command, he was a staff officer at the Ordnance Center and School at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. After graduation from the U.S. Army War College, Lieutenant General Hack returned to 24 Infantry Division where he commanded the 24th Infantry Division Support Command. He then served as the Executive Officer to the Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Materiel Command. His subsequent assignments include: Assistant Division Commander for Support of the 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized), Fort Hood, TX; Commanding General, 13th Corps Support Command, Fort Hood, TX; and Commanding General of the 21st Theater Support Command, United States Army Europe, Germany. Throughout his military career, Lieutenant General Hack has been a sterling example of leadership and professionalism. Special thanks must also be given to Lieutenant General Hack's wife, Rosanne, and their son, 1st Lieutenant Richard J. Hack. First Lieutenant Hack carries on the family tradition as the 3rd generation to serve in our Armed Forces, and is currently serving in Iraq. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to express my gratitude to Lieutenant General Hack for his service to our country. I call upon my colleagues to join me in applauding his past accomplishments and wishing him the best of luck in all future endeavors.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Flint Hill Elementary School as it prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Since its establishment in 1955, Flint Hill Elementary School has committed itself to lofty standards of academic and extracurricular excellence. Over the years, as the Vienna area has expanded and diversified, Flint Hill has followed the community's example. To this day, Flint Hill Elementary School remains a distinguished and greatly lauded school in many respects, from the arts to academics. The school boasts a number of unique programs, from a Cultural Arts Program to the Flint Hill Elementary School Morning News Team to an annual science fair. The garden serves as a living learning environment, which includes a butterfly garden and a greenhouse. The courtyard is a result of collaborative effort and hours of hard work by students, parents, and teachers. Technology continues to be paramount at Flint Hill, and every class is equipped with a computer presentation system and access to the Internet. The mission of Flint Hill Elementary School is to promote student learning and high academic standards, while providing a respectful learning environment that develops individual academic achievement and supports social and emotional growth. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to thank Flint Hill Elementary School faculty and staff for the immeasurable contributions they have made to the community by shaping today's youth and tomorrow's future. I congratulate the school on its successes over the last 50 years and I wish it more successful years in the future. I ask that my colleagues join me in applauding this outstanding and distinguished institution.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from California for his support of this legislation and his efforts. I think it is important, as he points out, that all of these different impacts are taken into account when the Postal Service undertakes the realignment and consolidation of postal facilities. I look forward to working with him and the Postal Service as these unfold.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I urge opposition to this. First of all, the Postal Service is self-operating. What it raises, it spends. The increased money that was added was because of the anthrax issue. It was a national security issue. This amendment is bad for the economy. We are talking about 8 percent of GDP now having at least a 2 percent increase. In fact, under this amendment, it would not just be a rate increase, this would be basically a rate shock to Americans. It would be far in excess of that. This hurts Americans' competitiveness, it is bad for the economy, and I urge my colleagues to vote against this amendment.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Cannon), who has been very helpful in putting this bill together.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Miller).

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murphy).

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis).

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, we have tried on this legislation to not get into some of the specific shortcomings of Postal Service delivery on ZIP codes and the like, but I want to tell the gentleman that I have looked at this Taylorsville issue. I want to pledge to work with the gentleman from Utah and with the Postmaster General to make sure these needs are resolved and to support a thoughtful solution for the city of Taylorsville, and just assure the gentleman that that is a priority.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, may I inquire as to how much time remains on each side?

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I will reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman).

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh).

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh), the chief author of this, someone who has championed this cause since I came to Congress.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, please include the attached exchange of letters between Chairman Don Young of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Chairman F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. of the Committee on the Judiciary, Chairman Bill Thomas of the Committee on Ways and Means and myself. House of Representatives, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Washington, DC, April 25, 2005. Hon. Tom Davis, Chairman, Committee on Government Reform, Rayburn Building, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing to you concerning the jurisdictional interest of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in matters being considered in H.R. 22, the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act. Our Committee recognizes the importance of H.R. 22 and the need for the legislation to move expeditiously. Therefore, while we have a valid claim to jurisdiction over certain provisions of the bill, I will agree not to request a sequential referral. This, of course, is conditional on our mutual understanding that nothing in this legislation or my decision to forego a sequential referral waives, reduces or otherwise affects the jurisdiction of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and that a copy of this letter and of your response acknowledging our valid jurisdictional interest will be included in the Committee report and in the Congressional Record'' when the bill considered on the House Floor. The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure also asks that you support our request to be conferees on the provisions over which we have jurisdiction during any House Senate conference. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. Sincerely, Don Young, Chairman.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton), the former chairman of the Government Reform and Oversight Committee, who has played a lead role in moving this bill to where it is today, and spent 6 long years in the vineyards laboring on this when he was chairman of the committee.